Time-stock-feeder.



ANDREW J. YUENGER, OF MARINETTE, WISCONSIN.

TIIVIE STOCK-FEEDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 31, 1905.

Application filed, March 23, 1905. Serial No. 251,653.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ANDREW J. YUENGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Marinette, in the county of Marinette and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Automatic Stock-Feeder, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices whereby a supply of feed may be released for deposit in a manger or other receptacle at a certain predetermined time, and has for its object to improve the construction and increase the efficiency of devices of this class.

With these and other objects in view,which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consist in certain novel features of construction, as hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which corresponding parts are denoted by like designating characters, is illustrated the preferred form of embodiment of the invention capable of carrying thesame into practical operation, it being understood that the invention is not necessarily limited the reto. as various changes in the shape, proportions, and general assemblage of the parts may be resorted to without departing from the principle of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

in the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation. Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the latch.

The improved device comprises a chamber 10, having a shelf 11 for supporting a clock mechanism 12, provided with an alarm mechanism or similar device arranged to be released at a certain predetermined time.

Generally the usual alarm mechanism employed upon ordinary clocks will be employed for releasing the reed-supporting means, and for the purpose of illustration a clock of this class is shown at 12 upon the shelf 11 and held in position as by a button 13 and yielding stay members 14, of cork or like material. The alarm-winding lever is represented at 15,which is reversely rotated when the alarm mechanism is released, and thus provides the requisite releasing movement, as hereinafter described. It is obvious, however, that a specially-constructed releasing mechanism may be employed, if preferred.

One or more feed-holding receptacles are employed in the improved apparatus,and these are usually arranged adjacent to the chamber 10 and within the same general inclosing casing 16.

For the purpose of illustration two of the receptacles are shown, as at 17 18, one at each side of the chamber 10; but any number may be employed or a single feed-receptacle may be employed, as required.

The feed-receptacles are provided with a closure member 19 common to them all and hinged, as at 20, at one side and held in closed position by a catch 21, operating through an aperture 22 in the closure member.

The catch member is preferably formed from a single piece of wire bent into the required shape and mounted for rotation, as at 23 24, and with a lateral rearwardly-extending arm 25 and a vertical arm 26. A spring 27 is connected to the arm 25 for holding the catch 21 yieldably in engagement with the closure member 19. The central chamber 10 is provided with a hinged door 28 by which access is had to the interior of the same and through which the trip-catch may be set. The free end of the arm 25 is connected, as by a chain or cord 29,tothe alarmlevcr15,as shown, and when the alarm is released the rotation of its lever will elevate the lever 25 and withdraw the catch 21, and thus release the closure 19 and drop the feed supported thereby into the receptacles provided to receive them, and

no matter how many of the receptacles may be employed they will all be emptied at the same time.

The receptacle discharges into chutes 30, by which the feed is conveyed to suitable mangers or feed-boxes. (Not shown.)

Hook-shaped bars 32 may be attached to the rear side of the casing for engaging staples or similar devices 33 upon a wall 34 or other stationary structure, and by arranging sets of these staples at different localities one feedreleasing device may be employed in different localities, as will be obvious. The bars 32 may also be extended below the casing 16 and perforated to receive holding-screws if it is desired to attach the device permanently.

The device will preferably be constructed of sheet metal, as represented, and the receptacles 17 18 will preferably be provided with inclined ribs or funnels 35 36 to assist the discharge of the material.

Thachamber 10 is lined'with non-conducting material-such as wool, felt, or the like as represented at 37, to deaden the sound of the alarm, and thus avoid alarming the animals.

The device will be found very useful for farmers and others who may desire to supply animals .with feed at a certain predetermined time, as the mechanism can be set as required and the feed will be released without further attention.

The device willalso be very useful in livery and boarding stables and the like and will result in great saving of time and labor and will also obviate danger of neglect by careless attendants.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. An automatic feeding device comprising a feed-receptacle having a closure hinged at one side, a rod mounted for rotation and having a depending arm terminating in a lateral lug for hearing beneath the free edge of said closure, an arm extending laterally from said rod, a spring connected to said arm and operating to maintain said lateral lug yielda'bly engaged with said closure, a mechanism having an arm adapted for rotation away from said spring-supported arm at a certain predetermined time, and connecting means between said spring-supported arm and said time-controlled arm.

2. In an automatic stock-feeding device, a central chamber, feed-receptacles disposed adjacent to said chamber, a feed-spout disposed above said chamber and provided with a dividing member between the same and said chamber whereby the supply of material is distributed uniformly to said receptacles, a closure hinged at one side and common to all of said receptacles and extending beneath said chamber, a spring-controlled catch within said chamber and engaging the free edge of said closure member, a mechanism disposed within said chamber and provided with an arm adapted for rotation away from said catch at a certain predetermined time, and connecting means between said catch and lateral arm, whereby the arm will be released by the operation of the lateral arm.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ANDREW J. YUENGER.

Witnesses:

F. N. BERNARDY, JOHN F. YUENGER. 

